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No professional sports organization sells parity as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following the first ten matchups of this season, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where the bulk of franchises are merely adequate.

NFC Clarity

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and achieved overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. Philadelphia at 6-2 notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, similar to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). The Lions also (six and three), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have proven they're capable of dominating strong franchises. For all five, one can readily construct a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, display either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to finalize your conference championship predictions right now, would you confidently select any one of the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn't descended to pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He has returned to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and endured a brief period in which he threw a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season as Jones prevented game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would end postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Last season, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football following seven consecutive victories. If not for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss with the top standing. Last season, they were old and slow. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the easiest slate across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has been brought down thirty-five times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend proved brutal. With continued play, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and the perception remains like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering within their division with seven wins, however, health issues along their offensive line will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning their division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase continue to show up. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 and still look like they should win the division is telling about the complete conference.

Established Contenders

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who could still create the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't simply fail against Miami; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in several seasons.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt